Thursday, April 12, 2012

Bead N' Braid Bracelet

These bracelets are very easy to make. You simply add a bead to the string while making a braid. I learned how to do it from the blog post found here.

All you need is waxed linen cord, which I found at Hobby Lobby in the jewelry supplies aisle, beads, and a button.

Step 1: Measure the cord by wrapping it around your wrist and making it about 3 inches bigger than the circumference. Then fold that length back over on itself 3 times so that one end will have 2 loops. This is the end that you tie the knot seen below. (Make sure the loops are open enough to fit your button through them.)

Step 2: Trim off one of the cords since you will only need 3 to make the braid.

Step 3: Braid the cord part way down as seen below. I probably had about an inch of braided cord.

I used small glass beads that came in one small package:

Step 4: String a bead onto the cord you are about to cross over next in the braiding sequence:

Step 5: Then bring the cord across:

Step 6: String a bead onto the next cord you are about to cross over:

Step 7: Then bring the cord across:

Continue these steps until you have the desired amount of beads on your bracelet.

Step 8: End by doing another length of beadless braiding. Then, thread the cords through the button holes and tie it in a knot to secure. The wax thread stays in place pretty well. Trim off the excess cord and you're done.